Cell smearing apparatus and cell smearing method

ABSTRACT

A cell smearing apparatus comprising: a mixed solution container accommodation unit accommodating a mixed solution container containing a mixed solution of cells and a preservation solution; a suction unit suctioning the mixed solution from the mixed solution container accommodated in the mixed solution container accommodation unit; a sensor unit sensing variation of the mixed solution suctioned by the suction unit; and a controller controlling a suctioning speed of the suction unit based on a value sensed by the sensor unit. The present invention allows cells to be examined to be smeared as a monolayer on a slide for microscopic examination.

PRIORITY CLAIM

The present application is a divisional application of patentapplication Ser. No. 14/392,285, filed Dec. 23, 2015, which is aNational Phase entry of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2015/004020, filedApr. 22, 2015, which claims priority from Korean Application No.10-2014-0048890, filed Apr. 23, 2014, the disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cell smearing apparatus and a cellsmearing method.

BACKGROUND

Histopathologic examination refers to the morphological examination witha microscope of tissue obtained through surgery or physiologicalexamination or an organ obtained through pathological anatomy, and isparticularly used in diagnosis of benignancy or malignancy of a tumor, aprimary lesion and a metastasis lesion, the presence of effects of acarcinostatic agent or radiotherapy, the presence of an inflammatorylesion, the degree of cell metamorphosis, malformation, and the like.

Such histopathologic examination is performed through a series ofprocesses of collecting detached cells, attaching a target cell to beexamined to a glass slide through fine needle aspiration or smearing,fixing and dyeing to prevent deformation, and microscopic examination bya pathologist.

That is, for histopathologic examination, it is necessary to perform anoperation of smearing cells to be examined onto a glass slide. However,conventionally, since such operation is manually carried out by anoperator, there are problems such as a long operation time, exposure toforeign matter and contaminants during operation, and non-uniformsmearing of cells onto the glass slide. Particularly, when cells arenon-uniformly smeared onto the glass slide, only cells on the uppermostlayer among the cells overlapping each other can be observed throughmicroscopic examination, thereby making it difficult to find a malignantcell which can be present at a lower side of the cells overlapping eachother.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cell smearingapparatus which can automatically smear cells to be examined in amonolayer onto a slide.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cell smearingmethod using the cell smearing apparatus.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cell smearingapparatus includes: a mixed solution container accommodation unitaccommodating a mixed solution container containing a mixed solution ofcells and a preservation solution; a suction unit suctioning the mixedsolution from the mixed solution container accommodated in the mixedsolution container accommodation unit; a sensor unit sensing variationof the mixed solution suctioned by the suction unit; and a controllercontrolling a suctioning speed of the suction unit based on a valuesensed by the sensor unit.

The sensor unit may include a pressure sensor for sensing a pressure ofsuctioning the mixed solution, and the controller may control thesuction unit to suction the mixed solution at a reduced speed when apressure of suctioning the mixed solution sensed by the pressure sensorreaches a predetermined pressure.

The mixed solution container may include: an upper body accommodatingthe mixed solution; a lower body provided with a filter unit filteringthe cells in the mixed solution and detachably coupled to the upperbody; and a sealing member for securing air-tightness between the upperbody and the lower body coupled to each other.

The filter unit may include a filter having a film shape and filteringthe cells in the mixed solution; and a buffer portion provided to oneside of the filter and compressing and buffering the filter with respectto the slide when the filtered cells are stamped on the slide, and thefilter and the buffer portion may have a rectangular shape.

The suction unit may be provided to a tray, and the cell smearingapparatus may further include a transfer member transferring the tray inan up-down direction, and the transfer member may control a transferreddistance of the tray through a stepper motor or an encoder motor.

The tray may include a drain accommodation unit accommodating a drainfor discharge outside instead of passing through the filter when theupper body is separated from the lower body.

The tray may be connected to a valve, and the valve may include: a firstinlet communicating with the suction unit; a second inlet communicatingwith the drain accommodation unit; an outlet through which a fluidhaving flowed through the first inlet and the second inlet isdischarged; and a shut-off unit selectively opening or closing the firstinlet and the second inlet.

The cell smearing apparatus may further include: a concentrationanalyzer measuring a concentration of the mixed solution in the mixedsolution container accommodated in the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit; and a preservation solution supplier additionallysupplying the preservation solution to the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit when the concentration of the mixed solution measuredby the concentration analyzer is higher than a predetermined value.

The suction unit may be connected to a pump for suctioning the mixedsolution, and the pump may be a peristaltic tube pump.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a cellsmearing method includes: (a) coupling an upper body of a mixed solutioncontainer to a mixed solution container accommodation unit of a case,the mixed solution container including the upper body and a lower bodydetachably coupled to the upper body; (b) lifting a tray to couple asuction unit of the tray to the mixed solution container accommodationunit; (c) suctioning the mixed solution of the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit through the suction unit; (d) lowering the tray toseparate the lower body from the upper body; (e) coupling a slide to aslide accommodation portion of the case; and (f) lifting the tray toallow cells filtered through a filter of the lower body to be stamped onthe slide coupled to the slide accommodation portion.

In the step of (c) suctioning the mixed solution of the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit through the suction unit, a pressure sensormay sense pressure of the mixed solution suctioned by a suction unit,and a controller may control the suction unit to suction the mixedsolution at a reduced speed when the pressure of suctioning the mixedsolution sensed by the pressure sensor reaches a predetermined pressure.

Before the step of (c) suctioning the mixed solution of the mixedsolution container accommodation unit through the suction unit, (b′) aconcentration analyzer may measure a concentration of the mixed solutionin the mixed solution container accommodated in the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit, and a preservation solution supplier mayadd the preservation solution to the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit when the concentration of the mixed solution measuredby the concentration analyzer exceeds a predetermined value.

According to the present invention, it is possible to smear cells to beexamined in a monolayer onto a slide for microscopic examination.

In addition, it is possible to prevent collected cells from being mixedwith foreign matter or exposed to contaminants.

Further, it is possible to reduce consumption of time and labor for cellsmearing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell smearing apparatus according toone exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cell smearing apparatus according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present invention, from which a case ispartially removed.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cell smearing apparatus according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention, from which the case ispartially removed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the cell smearing apparatus according tothe exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating aconnection relationship between a tray, a valve, a pump and a sensorunit connected to each other via a tube.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mixed solution container of the cellsmearing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the mixed solution containerof the cell smearing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a cell smearing method according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 to 11 are time-series sectional views illustrating the cellsmearing method according to the exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cell smearing apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.Throughout the specification and the accompanying drawings, likereference numerals denote like elements having the same or similarfunctions. Detailed descriptions of features or functions apparent tothose skilled in the art will be omitted for clarity.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “A”,“B”, “(a)”, “(b)”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,components, and/or regions in the following exemplary embodiments, theseelements, components, and/or regions should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component,or region from another element, component, or region. It will beunderstood that when an element is referred to as being “connected”,“coupled” or “joined” to another element, it can be directly connected,coupled or joined to the other element, or intervening elements may alsobe present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being“directly connected”, “directly coupled”, or “directly joined” toanother element, there are no intervening elements.

As used herein, the term “mixed solution” is defined as a mixed fluid ofcells to be examined and a preservation solution for preserving thecells.

As used herein, the term “filtered solution” is defined as a fluid ofthe mixed solution from which the cells are filtered.

As used herein, the term “drain” is defined as a fluid of the filteredsolution introduced into a tray through a drain inlet instead of asuction unit.

As used herein, the term “waste solution” generally refers to thefiltered solution and the drain.

As used herein, the term “stamping” is defined as a series of processesof bring an object into contact with a target, compressing the objectwith respect to the target in a stamping manner, and releasingcompressive force.

Next, a cell smearing apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cell smearing apparatus according toone exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the cell smearing apparatus according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention, from which a case ispartially removed; FIG. 3 is a side view of the cell smearing apparatusaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, fromwhich the case is partially removed; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of thecell smearing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating a connection relationship between atray, a valve, a pump and a sensor unit connected to each other via atube; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mixed solution container of thecell smearing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention; and FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of themixed solution container of the cell smearing apparatus according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention. Here, it should be notedthat the tube is omitted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 for convenience ofdescription.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, a cell smearing apparatus according toone exemplary embodiment may include a mixed solution container 100, acase 200, a tray 300, a transfer member 400, a valve 500, a pump 600, asensor unit 700, tubes 810, 820, 830, 850, a concentration analyzer (notshown), and a controller 900. It should be understood that the abovefeatures of the cell smearing apparatus are provided as one example ofthe cell smearing apparatus according to the present invention and arenot essential features of the cell smearing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

The mixed solution container 100 is a container configured toaccommodate a mixed solution of cells and a preservation solution.

In one exemplary embodiment, the mixed solution container 100 mayinclude an upper body 110, a lower body 120, and a sealing member 130,as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

The upper body 110 constitutes a sidewall of a space in which the mixedsolution is accommodated. The upper body 110 is detachably coupled tothe lower body 120 and has a shape corresponding to at least a portionof the lower body 120. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5and FIG. 6, the upper body 110 may have a hollow space of a rectangularshape (including a square shape) when viewed in a top plan view. Itshould be understood that the shape of the upper body 110 is not limitedthereto.

In one exemplary embodiment, an outer wall of the upper body 110 may beprovided with an outer protrusion 111, as shown in FIG. 5. The outerprotrusion 111 may have a shape corresponding to a groove 211 formed ona mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 of the case 200described below. With this structure, the upper body 110 can be securedto the case 200 by inserting the outer protrusion 111 of the upper body110 into the groove 211 of the mixed solution container accommodationunit 210.

In one exemplary embodiment, an inner wall of the upper body 110 may beprovided with an inner protrusion 112. The inner protrusion 112 servesto support the lower body 120 when the lower body 120 is inserted intothe upper body 110. As described below, a sealing member 130 is disposedbetween the inner protrusion 112 and the lower body 120 to maintainair-tightness between the upper body 110 and the lower body 120.

The lower body 120 may be separably coupled to the upper body 110. Inother words, the lower body 120 may be selectively coupled to the upperbody 110. That is, the lower body 120 may be detachably coupled to theupper body 110.

In one exemplary embodiment, the lower body 120 may include a porousplate 121, a buffer portion 122, a filter 123, and an outlet 124, asshown in FIG. 6. Although a portion for the porous plate 121 and aportion for the outlet 124 may be provided as separate members in thelower body 120 as shown in FIG. 5, it should be understood that thelower body 120 may be provided as a one-piece structure. In oneexemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower body 120 may have ahollow space of a rectangular shape (including a square shape) whenviewed in top plan view. With this structure, the lower body 120 may beinserted into the rectangular hollow space of the upper body 120.Obviously, the shapes of the upper and lower bodies 110, 120 are notlimited thereto.

The porous plate 121 is provided to an upper portion of the lower body120. The porous plate 121 forms a lower surface of a space foraccommodating the mixed solution, when the lower body 120 is coupled tothe upper body 120. That is, the mixed solution is accommodated in thespace defined by the upper body 110 and the porous plate 121 of thelower body 120. Further, the mixed solution accommodated in the mixedsolution container 100 is suctioned by a suction unit 310 describedbelow, such that the mixed solution flows into the suction unit 310through the porous plate 121. Further, the buffer portion 122 and thefilter 123 may be disposed above the porous plate 121.

The buffer portion 122 may be disposed between the porous plate 121 andthe filter 123. The buffer portion 122 serves to compress and buffer thefilter 123 with respect to a slide 10 in the course of stamping cellsfiltered by the filter 123 to the slide 10. The buffer portion 122 maybe formed of an elastic material for buffering.

The filter 123 serves to filter cells from the mixed solution passingtherethrough. That is, the filter 123 serves to filter cells. The filter123 may be, for example, a filter. However, it should be understood thatthe present invention is not limited thereto and that the filter 123 mayhave any configuration so long as the filter can filter cells from themixed solution. Further, the cells filtered by slide 10 are stamped tothe slide 10 described below.

The porous plate 121, the buffer portion 122, and the slide 10 may havea rectangular shape when viewed in top plan view. In this embodiment,when the cells filtered by slide 10 are smeared onto the slide 10, asample of the cells remaining on the slide 10 may have a rectangularshape. Such a rectangular sample can further reduce time consumption formicroscopic examination with respect to an overall area of the sample ascompared with a circular sample, thereby providing examinationefficiency.

The outlet 124 is a passage through which the filtered solution obtainedby filtering the cells from the mixed solution is discharged from themixed solution container 100. In one exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the outlet 124 may be disposed at the lowermostportion of the mixed solution container 100, without being limitedthereto. In addition, the outlet 124 may have a hollow cylindricalshape, without being limited thereto.

By way of example, the outlet 124 may be coupled to the suction unit 310by being inserted into the hollow space of the suction unit. Further, asealing member (not shown) may be disposed between the outlet 124 andthe suction unit 310 to secure air-tightness therebetween. As such, whenair-tightness between the mixed solution container 100 and the suctionunit 310 of the tray 300 is maintained by the sealing member, suctionforce supplied through the suction unit 310 can be directly transferredto the mixed solution container 100. Furthermore, in addition to thesealing member for securing air-tightness between the outlet 124 and thesuction unit 310, a sealing member 130 may be disposed between the upperbody 110 and the lower body 120 to secure air-tightness therebetween.This will be described below.

The sealing member 130 is disposed so as to maintain air-tightnesstherebetween when the upper body 110 is coupled to the lower body 120.In one exemplary embodiment, the sealing member 130 may be disposedbetween the inner protrusion 112 of the upper body 110 and the lowerbody 120, without being limited thereto. The sealing member 130 may berealized by, for example, an elastic material such as a rubber orsilicone material, without being limited thereto.

The case 200 constitutes an outer appearance of the cell smearingapparatus. For example, the case 200 may be configured such that membersdescribed hereinafter can be accommodated in the case 200 or may bedisposed thereon. The case 200 may have, for example, a parallelepipedshape, as shown in FIG. 1, without being limited thereto.

For example, the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210, aslide accommodation portion 220, partitions 230, a display 240, a button250, a power supply 260, a preservation solution supplier (not shown)and a waste solution outlet (not shown) may be disposed on the case 200.

The mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 may be disposed, forexample, on an upper surface 201 of the case 200 and serve toaccommodate the mixed solution container 100. The mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit 210 may include, for example, a groove 211,into which the outer protrusion 111 of the mixed solution container 100having a shape corresponding to the groove 211 can be inserted.

The slide accommodation portion 220 is disposed, for example, on theupper surface 201 of the case 200 and serves to accommodate the slide10. The slide accommodation portion 220 may include, for example, agroove 221, into which the slide 10 having a shape corresponding to thegroove 221 may be inserted and supported thereby.

The slide accommodation portion 220 may be provided to a lower portionof the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210. This structuredoes not require removal of the upper body 110 during a process ofstamping the lower body 120 to the slide 10, with the mixed solutioncontainer 100 separated. In an alternative embodiment, the slideaccommodation portion 220 may be integrally formed with the mixedsolution container accommodation unit 210. In this embodiment, it isnecessary to insert the slide 10 after removal of the upper body 110 forstamping of cells.

The partitions 230 may be provided to divide an internal space of thecase 200. A motor 430, the pump 600, and other components may be mountedon the partitions 230.

The display 240 provides a screen for displaying a current operationstate of the cell smearing apparatus, and the like. By way of example,the display 240 can show a sensed value obtained through the sensor unit700 described below, and may output an alert message, as needed. Thedisplay 240 may display an output value in response to compression on abutton 250 described below. By way of example, the display 240 may bedisposed on a front side 202 of the case 200, without being limitedthereto. By way of example, the display 240 may be realized by a liquidcrystal display (LCD), without being limited thereto. Alternatively, thedisplay 240 may be realized by a touch panel, which advantageouslyprovides a function of the button 250.

A command for controlling the cell smearing apparatus may be inputthrough the button 250. By way of example, the button 250 may bedisposed on the front side of the case 202, as shown in FIG. 1. Further,the button 250 may be disposed near the display 240. This structureprovides user convenience by allowing a user operating the button 250 toconfirm through the display 240 whether the button 250 is normallyoperated. By way of example, the button 250 may be composed of fourbuttons, that is, a power button, an input button, an up button and adown button, without being limited thereto.

The power supply 260 may be provided, for example, to a backside 203 ofthe case 200 to receive power from an external power source and supplythe power to the cell smearing apparatus as needed. Although arelationship between the power supply 260 and other components is notshown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the power supply 260 may be connected toother components requiring supply of power via electric lines to supplypower to the other components.

The preservation solution supplier (not shown) serves to additionallysupply a preservation solution to the mixed solution container 100 whenit is determined through a concentration analyzer (not shown) describedbelow that the mixed solution accommodated in the mixed solutioncontainer 100 has an excessively high concentration. The preservationsolution supplier may be disposed inside or outside the case 200 and maysupply the preservation solution to the mixed solution container 100through a tube (not shown).

A waste solution outlet (not shown) provides a passage through which thefiltered solution and the drain respectively discharged through afiltered solution discharge portion 330 and a drain discharge portion340 are discharged outside. The waste solution outlet may be provided,for example, to a side surface 204 of the case 200, without beinglimited thereto.

By way of example, the tray 300 may include the suction unit 310, adrain inlet 320, the drain accommodation unit (not shown), the filteredsolution discharge portion 330, the drain discharge portion 340, a screwgroove 350, and guide grooves 360.

The suction unit 310 may be separably coupled to the outlet 124 of themixed solution container 100. The suction unit 310 may include, forexample, a hollow space 311 and may have a shape corresponding to theshape of the outlet 124 of the mixed solution container 100. With thisstructure, the suction unit 310 may be coupled to the outlet 124 bybeing inserted into the hollow space 311 of the suction unit 310. Thesuction unit 310 coupled to the outlet 124 supplies suction force to themixed solution accommodated in the mixed solution container 100. Such asuction force may be generated by the pump 600 described below. Asdescribed above, the sealing member may be disposed between the suctionunit 310 and the outlet 124 to secure air-tightness therebetween.

The drain inlet 320 may be disposed to surround an outer surface of thesuction unit 310. This structure allows the drain not flowed into thesuction unit 310 to be accommodated in the drain accommodation unitdisposed within the tray 300 instead of flowing to the outside of thetray 300. That is, the filtered solution suctioned by the suction forceof the pump 600 flows into the tray 300 through the suction unit 310,and the drain discharged by separation of the upper body 110 from thelower body 120 flows into the tray through the drain inlet 320. On theother hand, the filtered solution suctioned through the suction unit 310may be discharged through the filtered solution discharge portion 330,and the drain accommodated in the drain accommodation unit may bedischarged through the drain discharge portion 340.

The drain accommodation unit (not shown) is formed, for example, insidethe tray 300 to accommodate the drain.

The filtered solution discharge portion 330 is disposed at one side ofthe tray 300 and communicates with the suction unit 310 to allow thefiltered solution having flowed into the filtered solution dischargeportion 330 through suction unit 310 to flow into the valve 500 througha first tube 810.

The drain discharge portion 340 is disposed at one side of the tray 300and communicates with the drain accommodation unit to allow the drainaccommodated in the drain accommodation unit to flow into the valve 500through a second tube 820.

The screw groove 350 may have threads formed on an inner circumferentialsurface thereof. The screw groove 350 may be screwed to a transfer screw410 disposed inside the case 200. That is, the screw groove 350 mayinclude threads corresponding to the transfer screw 410. With thisstructure, when the transfer screw 410 is rotated, the tray 300 formedwith the screw groove 350 can be transferred up or down.

Guide rods 420 may be disposed inside the case 200 and pass through theguide grooves 360. The guide grooves 360 may have a shape correspondingto, for example, the shape of the guide rods 420. With this structure,when the tray 300 is transferred up or down, the tray 300 can betransferred vertically without shaking or deviating. Although two guidegrooves 360 and two guide rods 420 are shown by way of example in FIG.2, it should be understood that the present invention is not limitedthereto.

The transfer member 400 serves to transfer the tray 300. By way ofexample, the transfer member 400 may include a transfer screw 410, guiderods 420, a motor 430, pulleys 440, and a belt 450.

The transfer screw 410 may have threads formed on an outercircumferential surface thereof and may be disposed inside the case 200to be perpendicular to a bottom surface 205 of the case 200. Thetransfer screw 410 may be screwed to the screw groove 350 of the tray300.

The guide rods 420 may be disposed inside the case 200 to beperpendicular to the bottom surface of the case 200. The guide rods 420may pass through the guide grooves 360 of the tray 300, respectively.

The motor 430 may supply rotational force to the transfer screw 410. Themotor 430 receives power from the power supply 260 to rotate thetransfer screw 410. By way of example, the motor 430 may rotate thetransfer screw 410 in the clockwise direction and in thecounterclockwise direction. With this structure, the motor 430 cantransfer the tray 300 screwed to the transfer screw 410 in an upward ordownward direction.

In one exemplary embodiment, the motor 430 may be a stepper motor or anencoder motor. In this embodiment, since the revolutions per minute ofthe motor 430 can be controlled or can be calculated, it is possible tomove the tray 300 to an accurate target location.

By way of example, the motor 430 may be directly connected to thetransfer screw 410 or may be connected thereto via the pulleys 440 andthe belt 450, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. More specifically, thepulleys 440 are provided to the motor 430 and the transfer screw 410,respectively, and the belt 450 connects the pulley 440 of the motor 430to the pulley 440 of the transfer screw 410 such that rotational forceof the motor 430 can be transferred to the transfer screw 410.

The valve 500 serves to selectively control discharge of the filteredsolution and the drain.

The valve 500 may be, for example, a 3-way valve, without being limitedthereto. In one exemplary embodiment, the valve 500 may include a firstinlet 510, a second inlet 520, an outlet 530, and a shut-off unit (notshown).

The first inlet 510 may be connected to the filtered solution dischargeportion 330 through the first tube 810. That is, the filtered solutionmay flow through the first inlet 510.

The second inlet 520 may be connected to the drain discharge portion 340through the second tube 820. That is, the drain may flow through thesecond inlet 520.

The outlet 530 acts as a passage through which a waste solution havingflowed through the first inlet 510 and the second inlet 520 isdischarged.

The shut-off unit selectively opens or closes the first inlet 510 andthe second inlet 520. That is, the shut-off unit may shut connectionbetween the first inlet 510 and the outlet 530 or connection between thesecond inlet 520 and the outlet 530. Although the shut-off unit has beendescribed above as a single component, a separate shut-off member may beprovided to each of the first inlet 510 and the second inlet 520 so asto act as the shut-off unit.

The pump 600 provides suction force to the suction unit 310 of the tray300. That is, the mixed solution accommodated in the mixed solutioncontainer 100 is suctioned by the pump 600. By way of example, the pump600 may be a peristaltic tube pump which is connected to the motor 610and suctions fluid by squeezing a tube. With this structure, it ispossible to achieve accurate control of a suction amount of the mixedsolution.

By way of example, the pump 600 may be connected to the outlet 530through a third tube 830. The third tube 830 may be connected to a wastesolution outlet (not shown) through the pump 600.

The sensor unit 700 serves to sense variation of the mixed solutionsuctioned by the suction unit 310. A controller 1000 described belowuses the value sensed by the sensor unit 700 when controlling a speed ofsuctioning the mixed solution by the suction unit 310.

The sensor unit 700 may be, for example, a pressure sensor configured tosense a suction pressure with respect to the mixed solution. The sensorunit 700 may be connected to, for example, a wire type connector 840through a fourth tube 850. The wire type connector 840 is disposed onthe first tube 810 to be connected to the fourth tube 850. The pressuresensor can sense the suction pressure of the mixed solution generated inthe first tube 810 through the fourth tube 850.

By way of example, the sensor unit 700 may be provided to the partitions230, without being limited thereto.

The tubes 810, 820, 830, 850 and the wire type connector 840 are omittedin FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the first tube 810 may connectthe filtered solution discharge portion 330 and first inlet 510. Thesecond tube 820 may connect the drain discharge portion 340 to thesecond inlet 520. The third tube 830 may connect the outlet 530 to thepump 600. In addition, the third tube 830 may be connected to the wastesolution outlet through the pump 600. The wire type connector 840 isdisposed on the first tube 810 and may be connected to the fourth tube850 described below. The fourth tube 850 may connect the wire typeconnector 840 to the sensor unit 700.

The concentration analyzer (not shown) may be disposed near the mixedsolution container accommodation unit 210 of the case 200 to sense theconcentration of the mixed solution in the mixed solution container 100accommodated in the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210.When it is determined through the concentration analyzer that the mixedsolution has a high concentration, the preservation solution may beadditionally supplied to the mixed solution container through thepreservation solution supplier. With the structure in which theconcentration of the mixed solution suctioned by the suction unit 310 iscontrolled in this way, the cell smearing apparatus has an advantage inthat cells filtered by the filter 123 are uniformly distributed.

In one exemplary embodiment, the concentration analyzer may include alight emitting portion (not shown) and a light receiving portion (notshown). In the concentration analyzer, the light emitting portion emitslight to the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 and thelight receiving portion receives the light having passed through themixed solution container accommodation unit 210, whereby theconcentration of the mixed solution accommodated in the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit 210 can be sensed by the concentrationanalyzer.

The controller 900 serves to control the speed of suctioning the mixedsolution by the suction unit 310 based on the value sensed by the sensorunit 700. For example, when a value sensed by the sensor unit 700reaches a predetermined value, the controller 900 may control thesuction unit 310 to reduce the speed of suctioning the mixed solution.

Next, a cell smearing method according to one exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a cell smearing method according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 to 11 aretime-series sectional views illustrating the cell smearing methodaccording to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the cell smearing method according to one exemplary embodiment,first, the upper body 110 of the mixed solution container 100 includingthe upper body 110 and the lower body 120 separable from each other iscoupled to the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 of thecase 200 (S100). More specifically, the upper body 110 may be coupled tothe mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 by inserting theouter protrusion 111 of the upper body 110 into the groove 211 of themixed solution container accommodation unit 210.

Thereafter, the tray 300 is lifted (as indicated by arrow a of FIG. 8)such that the suction unit 310 of the tray 300 is coupled to the mixedsolution container 100 (S200) (see FIG. 9). More specifically, the mixedsolution container 100 may be coupled to the tray 300 in such a way thatthe outlet 124 of the mixed solution container 100 is inserted into thehollow space 311 of the suction unit 310. Here, the sealing member (notshown) is disposed between the mixed solution container 100 and thesuction unit 310 to maintain air-tightness therebetween.

Further, the tray 300 may be lifted by the transfer member 400 providedas a component for transferring the tray 300 upwards or downwards. Thetransfer member 400 includes, for example, the motor 430 and thetransfer screw 410 rotated by the motor 430 and may transfer the tray300 screwed to the transfer screw 410 upwards or downwards.

Thereafter, a mixed solution in the mixed solution container 100 issuctioned through suction unit 310 (S300). More specifically, thesuction unit 310 communicates with the pump 600 and can suction themixed solution from mixed solution container 100 using suction force ofthe pump 600. Then, the mixed solution placed in the upper body 110 ofthe mixed solution container 100 flows into the suction unit 310 throughthe filter 123 of the lower body 120. In this way, cells are filteredfrom the mixed solution by the filter 123 and only a filtered solutionfrom which the cells are removed is introduced into the suction unit310.

Here, as the amount of the cells filtered by the filter 123 increases, aflow passage formed in the filter 123 is narrowed. Thus, a negativepressure (pressure for suctioning the mixed solution) generated in thesuction unit through the pressure sensor corresponding to one example ofthe sensor unit 700 is gradually increased after a predetermined periodof time. In one exemplary embodiment, when the pressure detected by thepressure sensor reaches a predetermined pressure, the suction unit 310is controlled to reduce the speed of suctioning the mixed solution. As aresult, advantageously, the cells are uniformly distributed on thefilter 123 and are prevented from agglomerating or being accumulated inseveral layers on the filter 123. In other words, according to thisexemplary embodiment, it is possible to solve a problem that, when thesuction unit 310 is not controlled to reduce the speed of suctioning themixed solution, the mixed solution can be discharged through a flowpassage of the filter 123 in which the cells have already been received,thereby causing accumulation and agglomeration of the cells.

Alternatively, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor reachesa predetermined pressure, the suction unit 310 may be controlled to stopsuctioning of the mixed solution. However, when operation of the suctionunit 310 is abruptly stopped, there is a problem in that a large amountof drains are not suctioned by the suction unit 310 and can flow at ahigh speed to the outside to sweep the cells filtered by and remainingon the filter 123 such that some of the cells can be exposed togetherwith the drains, as compared with controlling the suction unit 310 toreduce the suction speed.

In addition, according to the exemplary embodiment, even when thepressure detected by the pressure sensor does not reach a predeterminedpressure, the suction unit 310 may be controlled to reduce the speed ofsuctioning the mixed solution over time.

Then, the tray 300 is lowered to separate the upper body 110 from thelower body 120(S400) (as indicated by arrow b in FIG. 10). Here, thetray 300 may be lowered by the transfer member 400 as in the case oflifting the tray. More specifically, the tray 300 may be lowered by thetransfer member 400 and the lower body 120 coupled to the tray 300 mayalso be lowered. Here, the upper body 110 coupled to the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit 210 of the case 200 is separated from thelower body 120 and is maintained in a state of being coupled to themixed solution container accommodation unit 210 of the case 200. Then,the mixed solution remaining in the upper body 110 instead of beingsuctioned through the filter 123 flows along the outer periphery of thelower body 120 due to separation of the upper body 110 from the lowerbody 120. In one exemplary embodiment, the mixed solution (that is, thedrain) flowing along the outer periphery of the lower body 120 isintroduced through the drain inlet 320 formed to surround the outercircumference of the suction unit 310 of the tray 300. The drainintroduced through the drain inlet 320 can be accommodated in the drainaccommodation unit.

Then, a slide 10 is coupled to the slide accommodation portion 220 ofthe case 200 (S500) (as indicated by arrow c in FIG. 10). Morespecifically, the slide 10 is inserted into and secured to the groove211 of the slide accommodation portion 220 having a shape correspondingto the shape of the slide 10.

Thereafter, the tray 300 is lifted to allow the cells filtered by thefilter 123 of the lower body 120 to be stamped on the slide 10 coupledto the slide accommodation portion 220 (S500) (as indicated by arrows dand e in FIG. 11). More specifically, stamping may be carried out insuch a way that the tray 300 is lifted to allow the filter 123 to bebrought into contact with the slide 10 and to be separated therefrom.Through this operation, a sample of the cells can be smeared onto theslide 10.

Additionally, in the cell smearing method according to this exemplaryembodiment, before Step S300, the concentration analyzer measures theconcentration of the mixed solution in the mixed solution container 100accommodated in the mixed solution container accommodation unit 110,and, when the concentration of the mixed solution measured by theconcentration analyzer is higher than a predetermined value, thepreservation solution supplier may additionally supply a preservationsolution to the mixed solution container 100. As a result, there is anadvantage in that a desired concentration of the mixed solution can bemaintained, thereby minimizing agglomeration or accumulation of thecells filtered by the filter 123.

Next, the cell smearing method according to the exemplary embodimentwill be further described with reference to a flow of the mixedsolution.

Initially, the mixed solution is accommodated in the mixed solutioncontainer 100.

Then, the mixed solution is suctioned by the suction unit 310 andintroduced into the valve 500 through the filtered solution dischargeportion 330, the first tube 810 and the first inlet 510 of the tray 300.Herein, the mixed solution having passed through the filter 123 of themixed solution container 100 in this way is referred to as the filteredsolution.

Further, upon separation of the upper body 110 from the lower body 120,the mixed solution exposed to the outside instead of passing through thefilter 123 flows into the drain accommodation unit through the draininlet 320 of the tray 300 and is then accommodated therein. Then, themixed solution is introduced into the valve 500 through the draindischarge portion 340, the second tube 820 and the second inlet 520.Herein, the mixed solution having flowed in this way and not havingpassed through the filter 123 of the mixed solution container 100 isreferred to as the drain.

In the valve 500, the shut-off unit selectively opens or closes thefirst inlet 510 and the second inlet 520 to determine whether thefiltered solution or the drain will be provided through the valve 500.

Both the filtered solution and the drain introduced into the valve 500are discharged through the waste solution outlet via the outlet 530 andthe pump 600. Herein, both the filtered solution and the drainintroduced into the valve 500 and discharged through the waste solutionoutlet are commonly referred to as waste solution.

On the other hand, in the cell smearing apparatus according to the oneexemplary embodiment described above, since the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit 210 separably accommodating the mixed solutioncontainer 100 and the slide accommodation portion 220 in which cellstamping is performed are disposed on the upper surface of the case 200and exposed outside, there can be a problem of contamination due todirect exposure of the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210and the slide accommodation portion 220 to the outside. In addition, dueto openings of the mixed solution container accommodation unit 210 andthe slide accommodation portion 220, foreign contaminants can be easilyintroduced into the tray 300 and other components of the apparatus.

A structure capable of preventing contamination of inner components byexternal contaminants is shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cell smearing apparatus according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the mixed solution container accommodation unit210 separably accommodating the mixed solution container 100, the slideaccommodation portion 220 in which cell stamping is performed, and thetray 300 coupled to the mixed solution container 100 to discharge amixed solution, a filtered solution, and the like are disposed withinthe case 200, and a cover 250 is provided to the case to protect suchinternal smearing components from an external environment. The cover 250can be rotated about a hinge and can be conveniently opened or closed byuser manipulation. Accordingly, in a standby state in which cellsmearing is not performed, the cover 250 is closed to block the internalsmearing components from an external environment to preventcontamination by external contaminants and during cell smearing, thecover 250 is opened to allow cell smearing to be carried out with theinternal smearing components exposed to the outside.

Here, although the display 240 and the button 250 can also be opened orclosed by the cover 250 as shown in FIG. 12, the display 240 and thebutton 250 may be formed on an outer surface of the case, as shown inFIG. 1.

Although all components are illustrated as being coupled to each otherinto one piece or being operated as one-piece in the above exemplaryembodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is notlimited thereto. That is, these components may be selectively coupled toeach other as plural structures as well, unless context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes”, “comprises” and/or “have (has)” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups. Unless otherwise defined herein,all terms including technical or scientific terms used herein have thesame meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art towhich the present invention pertains. It will be further understood thatterms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the specification and relevant art and should not beinterpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly sodefined herein

Although some exemplary embodiments have been described herein, itshould be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodimentsare given by way of illustration only, and that various modifications,variations and alterations can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. Therefore, the embodiments and theaccompanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the technicalspirit of the present invention, but should be construed as illustratingthe technical spirit of the present invention. The scope of theinvention should be interpreted according to the following appendedclaims as covering all modifications or variations derived from theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A cell smearing method comprising: (a) coupling an upper body of amixed solution container to a mixed solution container accommodationunit of a case, the mixed solution container including the upper bodyand a lower body detachably coupled to the upper body; (b) lifting atray to couple a suction unit of the tray to the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit; (c) suctioning the mixed solution of themixed solution container accommodation unit through the suction unit;(d) lowering the tray to separate the lower body from the upper body;(e) coupling a slide to a slide accommodation portion of the case; and(f) lifting the tray to allow cells filtered through a filter of thelower body to be stamped on the slide coupled to the slide accommodationportion.
 2. The cell smearing method according to claim 1, wherein inthe step of (c) suctioning the mixed solution of the mixed solutioncontainer accommodation unit through the suction unit, a pressure sensorsenses pressure of the mixed solution suctioned by a suction unit, and acontroller controls the suction unit to suction the mixed solution at areduced speed when the pressure of suctioning the mixed solution sensedby the pressure sensor reaches a predetermined pressure.
 3. The cellsmearing method according to claim 1, wherein, before the step of (c)suctioning the mixed solution of the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit through the suction unit, (b′) a concentrationanalyzer measures a concentration of the mixed solution in the mixedsolution container accommodated in the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit, and a preservation solution supplier additionallysupplies the preservation solution to the mixed solution containeraccommodation unit when the concentration of the mixed solution measuredby the concentration analyzer exceeds a predetermined value.